Greece is the word!: Patmos...hmm...it's a mystery.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Patmos...hmm...it's a mystery.

Today we left Kusadasi at 12:30 and arrived at Patmos at 4:30. While in mind, this tour would overfill our cups, mom and I decided that our body and spirits needed a loooong nap (3 hours!), serious spa time (mom) and/or time laying/dozing/swimming by the pool. So we've made some seriously boring grown up decisions and stayed on board. I will get the full scoop from the group that got off of the boat and let you guys know what they thought of the Grott of St. John and House of Mary tours.

Tonight is Karaoke night on board and I think I heard most of our group warming up their vocals. Should be a big night of fun together. Stay tuned...look for us on Youtube as I'm sure we'll be easy to spot with those millions of hits.

1 comment:

Teresa FisherJuly 17, 2012 at 12:58 PM
While not as eloquent or descriptive as Lisa, I can definitely say that there is still a powerful spiritual presence in the cave or "grotto" where St. John spent his days in exile and experienced the visions that became the book of Revelations. The feeling is something I can't describe but it did bring a few tears to my eyes as our guide pointed out the various tell tale signs in the rock that shows where John spent his time....
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Leavin, on a jet plane...

Lufthansa is THEEE best way to travel to Europe...by far and there are some nice ways to travel. We lucked out!

We will meet at Houston Intercontinental Airport, international departures section. There is a bank of chairs along the glass wall when you walk in. Just sit there until we are all there. We cannot check in without the whole group and no one can check in without me. Not to worry, I will be there right on time.

Departure:

Be at the airport on 7/12/2012 at 1:30pm sharp. (eat lunch before you go)

Flight 441 departs at 4:20pm and arrives in Frankfurt at 9:05am. We will change planes...

Flight 1282 leaves Frankfurt at 1:50pm and arrives in Athens at 5:35pm

Return:

Lufthansa flight 1755 leaves at 6:30am (yes...we do have to get up in the middle of the night. Don't worry, we can sleep on the plane!) and arrives in Munich at 8:05am

Lufthansa flight 428 leaves Munich at 11:25am and arrives in Charlotte, N.C. at 3:15 pm

US Airways flight 1203 leaves Charlotte at 6:20pm and arrives in Houston (intercontinental) at 7:55pm

** You will be fed 2 meals and a snack going to Athens and returning. There is also often a "snack bar" set up so you can stretch your legs when okay to take off your seatbelt and go get one.

***Remember that dehydration and leg cramps are common on long flights if you do not drink lots of water and get up to move around a bit.

Where are we sleeping? And what about the Cruise ship?

7/13- 7/16

Oceanis Hotel

25, Grigori Lambraki street

Glyfada Athens 16675

phone: +30 210 894 40 38

Many reviews of this place. It's on the Aegean sea and can see coast of Turkey on a clear day. Is it 5 star? NO!! I believe it will be akin to an $89-$119 spot here in Texas. Nothing fancy, but clean. Do I think it will be nicer than some we stayed in, in Italy? Yes, but I can't be sure.

7/16-7/20 (CRUISE!!)

Louis Olympia, 4 day

Olympia is the name of the boat

7/20- 7/21

Emmantina Hotel

33 Possidonos Avenue

Glyfada Athens 16675

http://www.emmantina.gr/

Newer/modern hotel. Should be a great last nights sleep.

Okay, but how do I fix my hair?

If you live in a country with 110V electricity, your electric accessories would not work in Greece where 220V (50Hz) electrical outlets are standard. Just purchase an electrical adaptor to make sure all your equipment will work. An adaptor would allow your plug to physically fit into the Greek power outlets. An adaptor simply allows your plugs to fit into the Greek electrical outlets, it does not ensure that your appliance would work in the 220V current of the wall outlets in Greece. You also need a transformer:A transformer is a device that reduces electrical voltage. If you do not use a transformer, you will damage your appliance if it is not designed to receive 220 volts.

Be sure that you read packages to make sure you can adapt but also transform. An adaptor alone will not help you and will ruin (fry) your electrical gadget. Target, Walmart, luggage stores, or online are good places to look for these.

Euros: How much and where?

Euros are a moving target. The Euro is at an all time low but can still cost you more than they should if you get yours too early, wrong location, or do not "shop" fees. Call your bank...Todays rate is 1.24 (Meaning, it will cost you a dollar and 24cents to buy one Euro which spends just like one dollar here.) The fees for getting these early, knowing the Euro is at a low, might be best to avoid by just getting $100 in Euros before you go through your bank, EZForex.com, Wells Fargo in Pearland, then getting the remainder through larger withdraws at an ATM (they are everywhere there, as they are here) once in Greece. ATM's will almost always give you the best exchange rate.

You Tube: Athens

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Patmos...hmm...it's a mystery.

1 comment: